Former Romanian minister gets 2 years jail for bribes, getting mother's house built for free

BUCHAREST, Romania – A Romanian court has sentenced a former minister to two years in prison for taking bribes and getting his mother's house built for free when he was in office.

The High Court of Cassation and Justice sentenced Miron Mitrea to prison Friday for taking bribes worth 920,000 lei ($236,000) between 2000 and 2004, when he was transportation minister.

The court said in exchange for the kickbacks, Mitrea appointed Irina Jianu as chief inspector of Romania's agency inspecting building work. He was ordered to pay back about one-third of the amount. The ruling is final.

Prosecutors said a house belonging to Mitrea's mother was built for free by companies connected with Jianu. She was also sentenced Friday to five months.